What to watch for in WPIAL sports for Dec. 9, 2024: Girls basketball contenders to meet in nonsection clash

By: Don Rebel
Sunday, December 8, 2024 | 9:34 PM

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Two WPIAL girls basketball powers collide Monday in one final tune-up before their respective section seasons begin later in the week.

Peters Township, a semifinalist in Class 6A a year ago will visit defending WPIAL Class 2A champion Greensburg Central Catholic.

The Indians are now in Class 5A, but are 3-0 this season, all against 6A competition with home victories over Canon-McMillan, Upper St. Clair and Pine-Richland.

The Centurions, who moved up to 3A this season, are now 2-1 after splitting two games in the North Allegheny tournament with a win over North Catholic and a loss to South Fayette. GCC defeated District 5 power Berlin-Brothersvalley in its most recent contest.

Peters Township opens Section 4-5A play Thursday at undefeated Thomas Jefferson.

Greensburg Central Catholic will begin Section 2-3A action at home against winless Steel Valley.

On the prowl

The South Fayette girls basketball program has won three consecutive WPIAL Class 5A championships.

Could the Lions be off and running toward four in a row?

The Lions are 3-0 overall following three impressive nonsection victories.

South Fayette beat Altoona and Greensburg Central Catholic at the North Allegheny tournament and then won its home opener with a 29-point victory over Pine-Richland.

The Lions’ final challenge before section play begins is a trip to traditional 6A power Mt. Lebanon.

The Blue Devils, under first-year coach Mark “Knobby” Walsh, won their first two games over Blackhawk and North Catholic, before losing to Altoona and Chartiers Valley by a combined nine points.

New season makes a difference

Two district girls basketball teams that struggled a year ago and were spectators for the WPIAL playoffs are off and running with new hope in a new season.

Hempfield and Kiski Area were a combined 14-30 last season, but the Spartans and Cavaliers enter their nonsection games Monday with a combined record of 7-0.

Hempfield, with road wins over McKeesport, Mt. Pleasant and Greensburg Salem, will play its first home game of the season Monday against Fox Chapel.

Kiski Area has victories over Serra Catholic, Apollo-Ridge, Freeport and Highlands and will visit Plum to begin the second full week of the season.

Tags: Fox Chapel, Greensburg C.C., Hempfield, Kiski Area, Mt. lebanon, Peters Township, Plum, South Fayette